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USS DEWEY (DD-349)

  

Shipname: USS DEWEY
Hull Number Designation: DD-349
Ship Type: Destroyer
Ship Class:
Commissioned:
Displacement:

The USS DEWEY was at Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941.

Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941

DD349/A16-3

Refer to: Serial 52

U.S.S. Dewey (DD-349)

At Sea,

13 December 1941.

From: Commanding Officer.
To: Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet
 
Subject: Report on Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.
  1. During the raid on Pearl Harbor the U.S.S. Dewey was moored in a nest with Destroyer Division One and the Phelps alongside the port side of the Dobbin at berth Xray-2, under tender overhaul.
  2. The time of the following events are approximate:
    0755 - Utah observed torpedoed by OSBORN, G.E. GM2c and to list rapidly.
    0757 - General Quarters sounded.
    0802 - Four 50 caliber machine guns firing at planes attacking battleships and Ford Island. (Gunner's Mates cocking and installing firing locks on 5"/38 caliber guns).
    0810 - Guns #1, #2, #3 and #5 -- 5"/38 caliber guns firing local control; director manned and directing local control of guns. No power on ship.
    0900 - Second wave of attack started by light bombers which lasted 10 minutes. Under fire by Dewey throughout attack.
    0945 - Third wave of attack started by dive bombers. in this attack the Dobbin and Destroyer Division one became a target, three or four planes attacking the nest. One bomb hit close aboard starboard quarter of the Dobbin and one hit water between Hull and Dewey about 75 feet astern. No damage sustained by these close hits.
  3. All of the action was astern. However, Guns #1 and #2 and forward machine guns fired when not blanked off by Dobbin or upper works in the nest. The bridge force fired automatic rifles and rifles.

    Damage sustained -- None.

    Damage inflicted on enemy -- It is believed that DesDiv One destroyed two planes. Since guns in local control, unable to determine which bursts actually hit these planes.

    Ammunition expended -- 75 rounds 5"/38 caliber, 1300 rounds .50 caliber.

  4. Immediate steps were taken to prepare the ship for getting underway and this work continued throughout the attack. Dewey was underway standing out at 1505.
  5. There was no distinguished conduct on board. All hands were notably self-controlled and as expected, performed their duties with credit.

[signed]
A.J. DETZER

Sources of this information on the USS DEWEY comes from a variety of sources ranging from Jane's Fighting Ships to official US Naval (Department of the Navy) documents, navsource and US National Archives along with materials from sailors and donors to our collection. We wish to obtain material including but not limited to deck logs, cruise books, roster-muster rolls, photos, citations and technical operation and training materials. We are also looking for volunteers to help transribe roster muster rolls so that we can get this material into our searchable database.

You can make donations and contact us to assist or answer questions. Help us Save Military History One Sailor at a Time and the history of the USS DEWEY DD-349.